异型 (yì xíng) — abnormal shape; different form | tongtong Chinese Dictionary

Definition

异型 (yìxíng) means an irregular or atypical shape/form — used in technical and scientific contexts (biology, engineering, design) for something that deviates from the standard. Adjectival use as 异型的 (异型细胞).

noun

abnormal shapedifferent form

Examples

异型。
Zhè zhǒng yì xíng de jiàn zhù shè jì fēi cháng dú tè.
This kind of unconventional building design is very unique.
异型。
Kē xué jiā fā xiàn le yì zhǒng yì xíng de xì bāo jié gòu.
Scientists have discovered an abnormal cell structure.
异型，。
Zhè ge líng jiàn shì yì xíng de, xū yào tè bié dìng zhì.
This part is an irregular shape and needs to be custom-made.

Origin

Compound word

构词法gòucífǎ

偏正piānzhèngModifier + head

The first part narrows down the second: it says what kind of thing the head is.

异yìdifferent

“异” means different or abnormal and “型” means shape, giving an abnormal shape.

Characters in this word

Two or more meaningful parts placed together so that their meanings combine into a new one.

This origin belongs to the traditional form 異; 异 is its simplified writing.

田共異

田田tián
共共gòng

The traditional form 異 depicts a person with a mask 田 over the face, so the face looks different. The simplified 异 is a later shorthand.

Most characters — around four in five — are built this way: one part hints at the meaning, the other at the pronunciation.

刑土型

Meaning part形符xíngfú

土土tǔearth

Sound part声符shēngfú

刑

刑xíng型xíng

Same sound today

型 pairs 土 (earth) with 刑, which supplies the sound; the shape shows an earthen mold, hence form or pattern.

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